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Ok who's a member of the LIFTED MK CLUB?

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#183 ·
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#187 ·
I got the RR lift installed on my FD2 Patriot yesterday and I think it was one of my better ideas. It looks good and drives great. I was wondering if I noticed a wobble going around one corner under some acceleration but they will inspect it and tighten down anything necessary in 10 days. :smiley_thumbs_up:


I might never put on larger tires, due to the size of the spare tire, and other considerations. I think the current tire/wheel package is fine.
 
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#188 ·
Can any of you who have had the lift in there for a good number of miles make any statements about wear, alignment, and long term durability with the lift? I'm curious about any possible problems before I go for the much needed extra snow clearance.
 
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#189 ·
I have a wobble at low speed when starting up, but suspect it's tire imbalance. The lift itself is very durable so far (I think I have 20,000 km on it). Just do it.

CV and ball joints TBD...
 
#190 ·
heckler said:
I have a wobble at low speed when starting up, but suspect it's tire imbalance. The lift itself is very durable so far (I think I have 20,000 km on it). Just do it.

CV and ball joints TBD...
Click to expand...
I might kinda have that too (tire imbalance?) - but I just came back from a 500 mile deer hunting trip with the new lift and everything was fine.
 
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#193 ·
The RR lift just basically adds some extra height to the factory suspension (FD1, 2, or whatever) I believe.

And lifts don't increase your basic ground clearance, despite what some may believe, because your axles and some other parts are no higher. Lifts allow you to install larger diameter wheels and tires - which is what increases your ground clearance.
 
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#194 ·
While I agree on your comments regarding lifts, the Patriot doesn't have axles that hang down low like other 4x4's do. The lift does create a noticable increase in ground clearance, and does allow larger tires to be used, but ultimately it is the backspacing on rims that helps install wider tires. We're still limited in overall diameter because of the spring perch.
 
#195 ·
Tyler-98-W68 said:
We're still limited in overall diameter because of the spring perch.
Click to expand...
I am using a tire that comes within 1/2" of the spring perch. 215-75R16 The RRO kit I've seen just adds a 2" spacer on top of the spring/strut mount. Is the FD2 suspension different? Or does it use a similar spacer like the RRO. Here in the snow, 2" more clearance can make a big difference. The taller tires really made a noticable difference in height, but I'm as big as I can go as far as sidewall height because of the spring.
 
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#196 ·
4600 posts and you're asking how the FDII is different than the FDI?? wow.

FDII just has stiffer springs. Adding the RRO will lift a FDI the same amount as an FDII. And the RRO sure increases the ground clearance all around, except under the lower control arms that are between the wheels and the unibody.


Now - reliability...

I just rotated my tires and found grease on my right inner CV joint. The metal band clamp appears a little loose, and I think it's coming through there. The CV boot is still good, but I cleaned it off and will investigate in a couple days.
 
#197 ·
heckler said:
I just rotated my tires and found grease on my right inner CV joint. The metal band clamp appears a little loose, and I think it's coming through there. The CV boot is still good, but I cleaned it off and will investigate in a couple days.
Click to expand...
Same thing happened to me.
Jeep replaced the entire thing under warranty.
Right side also.
Grease coming from the metal clamp area.
 
#198 ·
heckler said:
4600 posts and you're asking how the FDII is different than the FDI?? wow.
FDII just has stiffer springs. Adding the RRO will lift a FDI the same amount as an FDII. And the RRO sure increases the ground clearance all around, except under the lower control arms that are between the wheels and the unibody.


Now - reliability...

I just rotated my tires and found grease on my right inner CV joint. The metal band clamp appears a little loose, and I think it's coming through there. The CV boot is still good, but I cleaned it off and will investigate in a couple days.
Click to expand...
I have an FD1 I can look at every day. I've never seen an FD2 up close. My dealer has never had one in stock while I've been waiting for my oil to get changed or I would have been crawling all around it. Also it seems many FD2 owners carry guns. So I'm not going to just go inspect one out there on the street.;) I never had any interest in an FD2 because they don't come with a manual transmission, consequently, I never familiarized myself with the FD2 suspension system.

So just stiffer springs. Sounds like the old days. I have 2 Scramblers, one has 4" more ground clearance than the other. All the shackles are stock, it's just that one Jeep's springs have more arch than the other. Actually in my case, the taller Jeep has softer springs with much more travel. I'm still getting used to "Jeeps" with out axles and leaf springs. It is a hard pill to swallow.:eek:

I forgot these Jeeps have CV boots. :doh: Inspecting the CV boots before winter is always a good idea. Once the salty water sand mix gets in there the joint is history! Jeep should have stayed with an actual U-joint cross and yoke system. Those last 100,000 miles easily.
 
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#199 ·
Aus Patriot said:
Same thing happened to me.
Jeep replaced the entire thing under warranty.
Right side also.
Grease coming from the metal clamp area.
Click to expand...
with the lift installed, or not?
 
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